Research Analyst (Western Asset)

Western Asset Management (WAM) is part of Franklin Templeton, a forward-thinking asset manager that has built its success through powerful partnerships. We leverage cutting-edge strategies and deep insights to unlock opportunities for long-term wealth creation. Our talented, global teams bring expertise that is both broad and unique.

Western Asset Management focuses on supporting our clients’ financial goals and creating positive outcomes for all kinds of people. Primarily a globally integrated fixed-income manager, we source ideas and investment solutions worldwide, with an emphasis on long-term fundamental value investing, using multiple diversified strategies.

Western Asset is a global asset management firm renowned for its expertise in fixed-income investments. Operating as a cohesive team, we leverage an open, integrated investment platform to deliver superior results. Our collegial team culture is a significant asset, enabling us to harness the combined experience and fixed-income acumen of our investment professionals worldwide.

Western Asset is a global asset management firm renowned for its expertise in fixed-income investing. Operating as a cohesive team, we leverage an open, integrated investment platform to deliver superior results for clients. Our collegial culture enables us to harness the combined experience and fixed-income acumen of our investment professionals worldwide. Western Asset is owned by Franklin Templeton, a diversified firm that spans asset management, wealth management, and fintech, with clients in over 150 countries and offices on six continents.

As a Research Analyst, you are a key member of Western Asset’s money market, municipal, and liquidity research teams. You will partner closely with portfolio managers, traders, risk, and operations to help manage daily liquidity across fixed-income portfolios. The role sits at the intersection of markets, cash forecasting, and portfolio construction—providing analytics, research, and decision support related to funding, cash balances, liquid instruments, and liquidity risk. You will help ensure portfolios meet liquidity guidelines, support trade execution readiness, and contribute to ongoing enhancements to our liquidity toolkit and processes. This role is based in our New York office with 4 days in office.

What You Will Do

• Conduct fundamental credit research on investment-grade corporates, state-sponsored agencies, non-bank financial institutions, and global systematically important banks. Responsibilities include leading annual credit reviews, continuous assessment of issuer-specific, liquidity, event-driven, and systemic risks, supporting investment decisions across 2a‑7 and EU money market funds as well as short-duration separate accounts.
• Maintain credit files in accordance with regulatory requirements for money market funds, including daily surveillance of credit ratings, preparation of formal credit reports, and documentation of material credit developments.
• ·Evaluate changes in issuer credit quality by integrating market developments with fundamental analysis and supporting issuer approval decisions for money market fund eligibility. Serve as the sole credit authority on the trading desk, providing buy and sell recommendations to portfolio managers.
• Coordinate with risk and compliance to provide updates on ratings changes, research methodology, and ensure completion of regulatory reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with the broader global investment management team on cross-sector and cross-regional credit insights.
• Maintain ongoing professional development to stay current on market developments and regulatory changes.

What You Will Bring

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience within asset management, fixed-income research, trading, portfolio analytics, treasury/cash management, or liquidity/risk analytics.
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of fixed-income markets and instruments, including rates, credit, funding markets, and the drivers of market liquidity.
• Demonstrated analytical capability: comfort working with large datasets, developing repeatable analyses, and translating outputs into clear recommendations.
• Proficiency with Bloomberg and Excel; experience with data/analytics tools such as Python, SQL, R, VBA, Power BI/Tableau, or similar is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey technical concepts to portfolio managers, traders, and cross-functional partners.
• High attention to detail with strong judgment and the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced, market-driven environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline.

Franklin Templeton offers employees a competitive and valuable range of total rewards—monetary and non-monetary — designed to support their well-being and recognize their time, talents, and results. Along with base compensation, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, a 401(k) plan with a generous match, and recognition rewards. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a range of competitive healthcare options, insurance, and disability benefits, employee stock investment program, learning resources, career development programs, reimbursement for certain education expenses, paid time off (vacation / holidays / sick / leave / parental & caregiving leave / bereavement / volunteering / floating holidays) and a motivational wellbeing program. we expect the base salary for this position to range between $150,000 - $200,000 depending on level of relevant experience, plus discretionary bonus.

Franklin Templeton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to ancestry, age, color, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, or gender expression, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.